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Xi’an 西安

Walk the city walls, explore the food lanes around the Drum Tower and head east to see the Terracotta Army.

The illuminated Bell Tower at dusk, surrounded by the traffic circle and the streets of central Xi’an.

City overview

Meet Xi’an

Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province, grew from the ancient city of Chang’an. The Bell Tower makes a useful starting point inside the Ming city walls. Walk west toward the Drum Tower for the lanes of the Muslim Quarter, where you can stop for lamb skewers or a bowl of paomo, flatbread served in broth.

South of the walls, visit the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda before the lights come on along Grand Tang Everbright City. The Terracotta Army and Huaqing Palace are both in Lintong and can share a day trip. Set aside a separate day for Mount Hua, farther east in Huayin.

Places to Visit

Start in the walled city, explore the Tang quarter or head east for the Terracotta Army and Mount Hua.

Rows of grey-brown Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an

Terracotta Army

4.5/ 5CTN Editor Score

Look across the excavation pits to see how the first Qin emperor’s clay army was arranged.

Paid · Reserve
A seated Buddha between carved pillars in the museum’s reconstruction of part of the Zhongshan Grottoes.

Shaanxi History Museum

4.5/ 5CTN Editor Score

Bronzes, Tang pottery and Silk Road treasures tell the story of ancient Shaanxi.

Free · Reserve
Pine-covered granite ridges rise in front of a broad cliff face in the morning light on Mount Hua.

Mount Huashan

4.5/ 5CTN Editor Score

Follow narrow paths along granite ridges in Huayin, a day trip east of Xi’an.

Paid · Reserve
The stepped brick pagoda and a bronze statue of Xuanzang with his staff beneath an evening sky.

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

4.5/ 5CTN Editor Score

This brick pagoda once held Buddhist texts that the monk Xuanzang brought from India.

Ticket required
A corner tower stands where two stretches of grey city wall meet above trees and the moat.

Xi’an City Wall

4.5/ 5CTN Editor Score

Walk or cycle the broad ramparts for views of tiled rooftops and the moat below.

Ticket required
Two curved colonnades lead to a central pavilion, with warm lantern light reflected in the pool.

Tang Paradise

4.5/ 5CTN Editor Score

Follow the water past Tang-style halls and covered walks that light up at dusk.

Ticket required

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Scores, entry notes & image credits

Scores are provisional CTN editorial ratings. Entry notes cover standard adult sightseeing and identify any separately ticketed areas. Prices are in Chinese yuan. Each entry lists its review date. The hero and other attraction images are CTN’s AI-generated travel illustrations; the Terracotta Army image reuses CTN’s confirmed homepage asset.

Image credits

  • Rows of grey-brown Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an: User-supplied image; creator not supplied · User authorized local design-preview use on 2026-10-19 · Source. Reused unchanged from the confirmed homepage asset; responsive 16:10 crop at 50% 35%.
  • A seated Buddha between carved pillars in the museum’s reconstruction of part of the Zhongshan Grottoes.: China Travel Notes · CTN-supplied illustration · Source. Prepared for the 16:10 attraction card.
  • Pine-covered granite ridges rise in front of a broad cliff face in the morning light on Mount Hua.: China Travel Notes · CTN-supplied illustration · Source. Prepared for the 16:10 attraction card.
  • The stepped brick pagoda and a bronze statue of Xuanzang with his staff beneath an evening sky.: China Travel Notes · CTN-supplied illustration · Source. Prepared for the 16:10 attraction card.
  • A corner tower stands where two stretches of grey city wall meet above trees and the moat.: China Travel Notes · CTN-supplied illustration · Source. Prepared for the 16:10 attraction card.
  • Two curved colonnades lead to a central pavilion, with warm lantern light reflected in the pool.: China Travel Notes · CTN-supplied illustration · Source. Prepared for the 16:10 attraction card.
  • A fan dancer leads an ensemble in flowing blue sleeves on a circular stage between red balconies.: China Travel Notes · CTN-supplied illustration · Source. Prepared for the 16:10 attraction card.
  • Illuminated paomo and grilled-meat signs hang over a busy, tree-lined food street at dusk.: China Travel Notes · CTN-supplied illustration · Source. Prepared for the 16:10 attraction card.
  • A high view along the illuminated pedestrian avenue, with the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in the distance.: China Travel Notes · CTN-supplied illustration · Source. Prepared for the 16:10 attraction card.
  • Daylight falls on the Bell Tower’s green tiled eaves, red balconies and arched brick base.: China Travel Notes · CTN-supplied illustration · Source. Prepared for the 16:10 attraction card.
  • Changsheng Hall faces the water, its grey roofs and red timber framed by the wooded slopes of Mount Li.: China Travel Notes · CTN-supplied illustration · Source. Prepared for the 16:10 attraction card.
  • A sunlit stone path leads between shrubs to Shengxin Tower, with dark timber balconies and turquoise-edged eaves.: China Travel Notes · CTN-supplied illustration · Source. Prepared for the 16:10 attraction card.

Plan Your Visit

Start with the old city, then choose which trips east of Xi’an fit your stay.

Where to Stay

Look near the Bell Tower for evening walks in the old city, or near the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda for Qujiang’s gardens and night lights.

When to Visit

See the pagoda in daylight and stay for the illuminated avenue after dusk. For Mount Hua, check the weather before picking your day.

Sources & editorial notes

City-page design preview. Places to Visit uses CTN editorial suggestions and separately checked entry notes; other development examples remain labelled.